Why We Chose “Gentle Giants” as Guardian Dogs on Our Farm – Part 2 of 3

(Part 2 of 3)

Unlike many dogs, our Great pyrs never took to any type of toy — no frisbees, pull toys or stuffed animals.

Bred instinctively to be livestock guardians, they prefer to have a job — without it — they can become bored and potentially destructive.

Though known for their majestic grandeur in size and appearance, Great Pyrs don’t fully mature until the age of 3.

Our pyrs will be 4 this year.

I have this notion, though, they’ll always be “puppies” to me.

Personalities

Xena 

Xena’s personality is that of a “warrior” princess.

She weighs around 80 pounds, is very muscular, and the more aggressive of the two. Other Great pyr owners enlightened me that the female is often the more aggressive.

Any reason to bark is a good reason for Xena.

Barking may come because of wind blowing through the trees, the sound of a boat coming up the river, or Xena dreaming. She also barks fiercely at any sign or smell of predators.

Xena Le Pew

One predator on the farm is especially dreaded: the skunk. 

On one ill-fated day, Xena determined to catch this unwanted intruder to give him a piece of her mind. 

Instead, she got a good dose of “stinky spray” for coming too close.

“Skunk-girl,” as we called her for weeks, was unamused. Much to our chagrin, she’s determined to get even.   🙁 

 Zeus 

With a tendency to be less aggressive than Xena and possessing a more aloof demeanor particularly among strangers, Zeus exhibits more guardian, than aggressive, instincts.

While Xena naps, Zeus is usually awake gazing across the pasture and listening intently for any signs or sounds that signal an intruder.

Due to his sheer physical size, Zeus has a more intimidating presence.

Just like Mama, he has an aversion to scales.  So we don’t know how much he weighs.

We guess it to be in the 130 – 150 pound range.

Learning the Farm Boundaries

Another Great pyr owner advised me that “wherever they can see, they think they own.”

Since we don’t want our pyrs chasing predators outside our property, we’ve constructed a very sturdy woven wire fence.

This strong, well-designed fence, has kept us all happy and secure…most of the time.

Admittedly, the occasional escape does happen. 

Thankfully, we have good neighbors who when they see big white, fluffy dogs wandering on their property, immediately contact us.

At the time we were beginning to train them, my husband had an off-the-farm job. So I took the lead in training them to our property boundaries.

Each day I would take them along the perimeter of the fence in a 3-acre area where we keep our chickens and coop.

Over time, a well-trodden path was visible, where the puppies spent time with their noses to the ground, identifying new scents and listening for off-normal sounds.

Great pyrs have excellent smell and extraordinary eyesight. They are highly observant of their surroundings and have quick reflexes.

Anything out of the ordinary, be it sound, movement, etc., may appear to the outsider to startle them. This is instinctive to this breed so as not to be caught unaware by a stalking predator.

Within seconds, I have witnessed Zeus and Xena change from a resting position to a lightning bolt run across the field due to a strange noise or predator siting.

Appreciating the Great Pyr Territory

I began to notice what I considered little oddities relating to Zeus’s behavior towards me.

While working outside, he will follow me, sometimes at a considerable distance. If there is any type of disturbance, he will come running.

On the other hand, when I routinely call for Zeus, he will usually come…but at his own pace.

With the caveat that the word “treat” almost always guarantees a quicker response!

Indoors, Zeus chooses his resting position carefully so there are no surprises with people coming and going.

With the skill of a military commander going into battle, he will assume the most strategic spot to “guard” his Mama and his girl, Xena.

I came to the realization that Zeus instinctively views me as part of his property or flock. 

In his mind, he is responsible for me and my well-being.

And all this time I thought I was taking care of him.

Silly me! 

Getting Attention and Bonding

Our Great pyrs love attention and affection. And we love giving it.

Nothing gets your attention faster than a “gentle” slap from a Great Pyr paw.

I have the bruises to prove it!

Xena is the more demanding of human affection. When indoors, she will often take her head and push on my elbow to prevent me from typing. 

Although I appreciate and respect the owners of large breeds who determine their animals are not to come indoors, we made a different decision. 

Part of that decision came naturally because of the extreme heat and humidity that comes with East Tennessee summers.

Also, we don’t have sufficient shade covering yet to cool our animals when the heat and humidity is intense; therefore, we responsibly let the animals in to cool down.

On at least one occasion, I’ve been grateful they were indoors.

Zeus once frightened off a stranger attempting to enter the house. Met with Zeus’s fierce barking and snarling teeth, he left the property.

Prior to that day, I had wondered if my loving Zeus as I do had made him too passive and unwilling to engage should there be a threat.

He demonstrated that wasn’t the case.

As a result, there is an even stronger bond between us.